Holiday Wish: Single Mom Struggling to Make Best Life for Severely Autistic Son

A young, Wareham mom is facing extreme hardship in making sure her severely Autistic son is able to have the best care possible.

This family relocated from Puerto Rico to Boston when the youngest son, Jami, was diagnosed with severe Autism at age 2. The services in Puerto Rico paled in comparison to what he could receive in Boston and the family of three moved in with relatives in the Roxbury area so he could get the care he needed. Shortly after, Mom and her two boys were asked to leave as the family couldn't handle the youngest son's behavioral challenges.

Since then, they have found temporary housing in Wareham. Mom makes a trip once a week by taxi to the Schwartz Center in Dartmouth with Jami, who is now 5-years-old. In addition to services at the Schwartz Center, Jami receives in-home care almost every day of the week and Mom has dedicated her whole life to ensuring that Jami can thrive despite his condition. Instead of trying to move closer to Schwartz in Dartmouth, she chooses to stay in Wareham as her older son is doing so well in Wareham schools.

Because Jami's needs and care require so much time, Mom cannot work and spends virtually all of her time with him as they have no family in the area to pitch in.

As we saw with Aiden from last year's Holiday Wish program, an iPad can greatly benefit a child with Autism and other developmental delays. We hope to be able to get this little boy an iPad to provide him with language and developmental stimulus for home use.

Basic Wish List: 

5-year-old boy: Size 6-7 clothes - needs cause / effect toys, light up toys and musical toys.

10-year-old boy: Size 16-18 or XXL - loves books and video games.

PLEASE NOTE: This year, we are unable to collect any used items as part of our Holiday Wish program. All toys, clothes or other items must be new and unwrapped. Thank you! 

If you would like to donate to the this family, please text WISH to 313131.

On behalf of Fun 107 and the United Way of Greater New Bedford, we thank you for your help in granting some wishes this holiday season!

United Way’s Holiday Wishes program is sponsored by Fun 107, Top Shelf Bar & Grill, Southcoast Tow, Carefree Homes, Used Tire Warehouse, Inspired Bath, Acushnet Creamery, Boutique Fitness, Kia of Dartmouth, Wareham Nurse Midwife, McDonalds, Wareham Crossing, Gold and Carat, Nate Lions, Dartmouth Mall, Fall River Municipal Credit Union, Long Built Homes, and Sear’s Hometown.